Rim-rolling machine



I 1,629,703 May E. HIGGINS 7 RIM ROLLING MACHINE Filed Nov. 22, 19 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR A TTORNE Y 1,6293-703 May E. HIGGINS RIM ROLLING MACHINE Filed Nov. 22. 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Patented May 24, I927.

iJNlTED' STATES 1,629,763 PATENT OFFICE.

EUGENE HIGGINS, OF JACKSON, vMI('JIEIIGA'IYI', ASSIGNOR TO HAYES WHEEL'COMPANY,

' OF JACKSON, MICHIGAN.

RIM-ROLLING MACHINE.

This invention relates to improvements in rim rolling machines. The improvements areof advantage generally. The main objects of the invention are,

First, to provide an improved gear and roll structure for rim rolling machines.

Second, to provide in such structure a yielding bearing means for accommodating the flexing of the. rollshafts when operated.

Objects pertaining to details of construe tion will appear from :the detailed descrip tion to follow. I accompl'sh the objects of the invention by the devices and means described in the following invention. The invention is pointed out and defined in the claims.

A, structure embodying the features of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of thisapplication, in which- Fig. I is a detail end elevation view of a rim rolling machine embodying the features of my invention.

Fig. II is an enlarged detail sectional view taken on irregular line 22 of Fig. I, looking in the direction of the little arrows, portions being shown in full lines.

Fig. III is a reduced detail sectional View taken on irregular line 3-3 of Fig. II, look ing in the direction of the little arrows,

showing the gear train and rocker to permit the opening and closing of the rollers and their shafts.

In the drawing similar numerals of ref erence refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

The parts of the drawing will be con sidered by their numbers. The base 1 can ries frame part 2,.2 connected by a frame member 2. V

The upper fixed roll shaft 3 is suitably supported in journals in the upper part of the frame and carries the stationary forming roll a. Journal boxes 30, 30 are at each end, provided with suitable bushings, and are carried on transverse cross pins 31 above the same and are so supported as to rock or oscillate slightly thereon when the rolls are in action. 1

Shaft 5 carries the movable rolls 6. This is carried in ournal boxes in a pair of slides T in suitable ways 8 in the frame 2 of the machine. The slides are actuated from the rock shaft 9 having arms 10 to which are connected the links or pitman -11. Each oints 12.

link or pitman 11 is connected to its slide 7 byuniversal, preferably ball and socket The slides 7 have slight clearance in the ways 8 in the frame'to permit .of

slight accommodation of movement so that the rolls may readily coact together and so that the shaft may be slightly flexed when the rolls coact in the rollingopera tion, without putting undue strain on the bearing.

13 is the connecting means for rocking the shaft 9 for actuating the pitman 11 and forcing the movable roll into working rela tion with the fixed roll.

1 1 is the driving shaft, driving the pinion 15 which engages the main gear wheel 16 which is on the shaft 3 of the fixed roll. A pinion 17 is centrally disposed on shaft 3. A train of, gears extends from pinion 17, secured centrally to shaft '3, around through suitable gear connections to the pinion 29 centrally disposed on the movable roll shaft 5. This gear train consists of the gears 18, 19, 20 and 21. Pinion 21 meshes with the pinion 29 on the movable shaft 5.. Gear 20 of the train is centrally disposed and carried on the fixed cross shaft .23. Shaft 23 also carries the rocker frame 22, see Fig. III, which pivots and rocks thereon. Rocker 22 carries the pinion 21 which meshes with pinion 29 to drive the movable roll shaft 5. This permits flexibility within the train and maintains the gears in mesh and permits the movement of the movable roll to and from the fixed roll while the gear train is maintained in mesh. The rocker 22 rocks on shaft 23.

The rocker 22 is connected the shaft 5.

It will be noted that this train of gears is by yoke 22 to centrally supported on the shaft 3, 5 and 23.

Suitable thrust bearings 33ers carried on the screw thread 34 to maintain the roll shafts in proper'relation to the journal bearings therefor From this description it will be readily seen that the structure is exceedingly flexible 1n itsaccommodatlon to the rim or be maintained in accurate relation. The hearings will accommodate themselves perfectly. WVhile the bending and flexing of the shafts is not great, yet, owing to the very heavy pressures, it puts undue strain on the bearings unless the bearings accommodate themselves to the journals. This particular arrangement secures smooth. action and long Wear in the machine With the minimum Waste due to friction under the circumstances.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new and desire to secure by Let-- ters Patent is:

1. In a rim rolling machine the combina tion of a fixed roll shaft, journal bearings at each end, cross pivot pins for supporting the said journal bearings, a movable roll shaft, suitable journal bearings at each end thereof, slides for each said movable shaft bearings, a rock shaft with suitable pitman and universal joint connections for each slide, a train of gears With rocker connections between the central portions of said shafts whereby the same Will be driven in unison, and means for driving the fixed shaft, coacting as specified.

2. In a rim rolling machine the combination of a fixed roll shaft, journal bearings at each end thereof, cross pivot connections for the said bearings, a movable shaft, suitable bearings at each end thereof, slide- Ways for the said. movable shaft bearings, universal joint connections to the said bearings, and a central train of gears With rocker connecting the central portions of said shafts whereby they Will be driven in unison, coacting as specified.-

3. In a rim rolling machine the combination of a fixed roll shaft, journal bearings at each end thereof, cross pivot connections for the said bearings, a movable shaft, suitable bearings at each end thereof, slide- Ways for the said movable shaft bearings, and universal joint connections to the said bearings, as specified.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

EUGENE HIGGINS. 

